The gift of exhortation is the Spirit-given ability to encourage and urge others forward in a way that helps rather than angers.
Les Feldick explains that exhortation involves encouraging people, pressing them toward worthwhile decisions, and helping them move ahead. It is a gift God gives, not a natural achievement to boast about. He illustrates this with a young lady who used her gift to gather 45-50 kids for Bible study, showing that gifts are discerned in action, not begged for.
Romans 12:8 — This verse lists the gift of exhortation among spiritual gifts, directly answering the question.
In Romans 12:6-8, the Apostle Paul lists various spiritual gifts, including prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy. He says, "He that exhorteth, on exhortation" (Romans 12:8). This indicates that exhortation is a specific gift given by God to believers. Also, in 1 Corinthians 14:3, Paul notes that one who speaks God's word "speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort," linking exhortation with encouragement and building up.
Les Feldick teaches that the gift of exhortation is the ability to encourage and urge people forward in a way that helps rather than angers them. He explains that not everyone can do this effectively because people may rebel when urging comes from the wrong person, but a person with this gift can motivate others constructively. He gives an example of a young lady who gathered many kids for Bible study, showing how her gift—though unsung—was real and impactful. Les emphasizes that believers should not beg for a particular gift but let the Holy Spirit give as He wills, and that every believer has a role and gift, even if they don't realize it.
Les Feldick points to the example of a young lady who gathered 45-50 kids for Bible study every Saturday night. When she lamented not having a gift, Les told her that her ability to gather and teach those kids was indeed a gift. He emphasizes that gifts are discerned by observing what God enables you to do effectively for His work, not by begging for a particular gift. As he says, "that's the way you determine your gift."
Yes, according to Les Feldick, every believer has at least one gift. He teaches that even those who consider themselves untalented can use a gift tremendously without realizing it. He cites the example from Exodus where God gave wisdom to wisehearted men to do His work, emphasizing that it starts in the heart.
Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You
This illustration of the body of Christ is going to have some members that are just as unseen and are unknown as the little toe is on your foot. But are they important? Oh you better believe it. Absolutely that believer is important. He's a member of the body of Christ. Others are going to be more visible. You're going to have your Billy Graham's and your famous evangelists.
How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained
Those are the three basic gifts that the Church needs today. Men who are evangelists and can preach salvation, and probably going from place to place. We all understand the role of an evangelist. And then there�s the man who is a gifted person to be a pastor. Not all of God�s men can be pastors, and not all can be teachers. But these are the three basic gifts that are explained here in Ephesians.
Identifying Your Gift Through Action
Les uses the example of a young lady who gathered many students for Bible study to illustrate that spiritual gifts are often recognized by the results God produces through us, not by our own feelings.
Why Prophecy Is Greater Than Tongues - 1 Corinthians 14 Explained
Gifted men. And they had to be gifted to the point that they could now teach people the Pauline doctrines and not that which was still coming out of the Old Testament, or they'd have had pandemonium. And so Paul realizing, by inspiration of course, that this was by far the most important thing the local church could have was men who could proclaim the truth of God's Word without benefit of having …
Exhortation Linked to Edification and Comfort
Les connects exhortation with edification and comfort, explaining that proclaiming God's Word is the best way to encourage and support hurting believers.
How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained
She just doesn�t have the time and the wherewithal to get out in public view. But what can she be? A prayer warrior. She can accomplish more for God without ever being seen than many evangelists who go from pulpit to pulpit. So we have to remember that every believer has that unique capability of serving God as He intended.
Every Believer Has a Gift
Les stresses that every believer has a gift and a role in God's work, even if they don't recognize it, and that giftedness starts with the heart.
How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained
They didn�t have great evangelistic campaigns, they didn�t have great coliseums full of people, but they turned the Roman Empire inside out or upside down. And how did they do it? By just simply every believer being taught from the Word that he could go out and be a living testimony to the world around him. And this is the criteria for us today.
Romans 12:8: Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
This verse directly names the gift of exhortation among other spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:3: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
This verse links prophecy with exhortation, showing that speaking God's truth brings edification and encouragement.
Exodus 36:2: And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
This verse shows that God puts wisdom and gifts in people's hearts for His work, illustrating the principle that gifts come from God.
Exhortation is closely related to encouragement but includes urging or pressing someone to take a right step. Les Feldick notes that it can involve getting after someone when needed, but always in a way that helps rather than angers.
Les Feldick teaches that while anyone can try to encourage, not everyone can do it effectively. When the wrong person urges, people may rebel. The gift of exhortation enables a person to motivate constructively without causing anger.
Watch the Teaching: Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You